Twilight Tour brings in a crowd for high yield

by Garrett Fodor

Local residents received an opportunity to look at, and learn about, the latest farm equipment and techniques last Thursday as the Essex Soil & Crop Improvement Association (ESCIA) hosted its annual Twilight Tour at the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Experimental Station, located in Woodslee.

The annual Twilight Tour tradition goes back around 25 years and gives farmers and residents alike a chance to come together for a meal and learn about new techniques for a higher yield and better crops. It also gives residents an opportunity to ask employees and experts from the grounds questions.

On this year’s agenda, crop rotation and the affects it has, nitrogen inhibitors, the overall health of the soil, and the benefits of cover crops were all discussed.

Michael Dick is an agricultural technician for the Essex Regional Conservation Authority (ERCA), which helps put on the event. He believes the event is informative and has a takeaway for everyone in attendance.

“Every year, it’s hosted by a farmer. We have guest speakers. And, on the farm tours, we try to focus on what that farmer is doing, what’s new and improved, and what some of the other farmers in the area are doing, technique-wise,” Dick said.”

Each year, ERCA kicks off the event with the presentation of the annual Conservation Farm award sign. The award is announced in the winter of the year prior and comes from nominations.

The 2017 honouree was Jerome Deslippe of Amherstburg. He was past president of ESCIA for over 30 years and was proud to support the agricultural community. He always gave back to the community. He passed away a year ago. His daughter, Rochelle, was on hand to receive the award on his behalf.

Dick believes the event brings people together to help educate them, which benefits their practices and the area as it offers a chance for farmers to learn about new and successful techniques.